NSW Health issues new measles warning, urges everyone to get vaccinated
Another person in NSW has been diagnosed with measles, and she spent quite a bit of time moving around Sydney before she realised she was ill and infectious. Here’s what you need to know:
- Measles 101: A family guide to measles
- Why are we still doing studies about autism and the MMR vaccine?
- Why vaccine opponents think they know more than medical experts
- There’s a measles outbreak in Australia right now – what you need to know
Another case of measles for NSW
NSW Health issued a fresh warning yesterday as measles cases across the country continue to climb.
“Students, train passengers and shoppers in Sydney and Maitland are being advised to watch out for symptoms of measles after a young woman was diagnosed with the highly-contagious disease,” they said in a statement which details the places this woman visited. (Be sure to check if you or your family members were there too.)
This new case brings the state’s measles tally to 35 since Christmas, and people who may have been in these areas are advised that symptoms could appear up until at least 23 April.
What are the symptoms and dangers of measles?
Symptoms include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, spotty rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body. Measles complications include pneumonia, encephalitis, hearing damage and more. In some cases complications can be fatal.
If you think you are infected you should telephone your GP or hospital to make arrangements and seek advice, rather than expose people in the waiting room to measles too.
This new case brings the national total to 85 for the year and we’re only a little through April. Last year Australia only reported 103 cases for the entire year. In 2017 we had 81 reported cases across the country – we’re already ahead of that entire-year total.
MEASLES ALERT 10/04/19: @Macquarie_Uni students and people who have been around Central Sydney and Maitland are being advised to watch out for symptoms of measles after a young woman was diagnosed. Read the full media release: https://t.co/jwrI5JEsR9 pic.twitter.com/nYNknBzdel
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) April 10, 2019
Please get vaccinated
Not sure? Better safe than sorry
Dr Sheppeard also encouraged people to get a top-up jab if they were unsure of their vaccination status.